Work leave plan for domestic abuse victims

There is pressure for the private sector to provide paid leave for women in crisis.

Giulio Saggin, file photo: ABC News

Unions have welcomed a government move to give public servants affected by domestic violence paid personal leave.

Launching the policy, Premier Lara Giddings said it would help victims keep their jobs during times of crisis.

"We know roughly one in five people in the workplaces will be victims to family violence," she said.

Unions Tasmania president Roz Madsen says it will help combat what is a significant problem.

"It's enormous; it's the first time in Tasmania that it's been acknowledged by an employer that family violence is a workplace issue," she said.

The Premier wants businesses in the private sector to follow the Government's lead.

The Hobart Women's Shelter spokeswoman Sabine Wagner agrees it should be extended to all workplaces.

"It's a great opportunity for us to look, and for society to look at how we can really support women in those circumstances and to bring about change and to bring it out in the open and not have it as a private issue any more."

Meanwhile, the Federal Government has launched a workplace program to help employees experiencing domestic violence.

The Minister for the Status of Women, Julie Collins, says the new toolkit provides practical advice for employers on how to support their staff.

She says there is also information for victims.

"It talks about getting a family violence protection order, safety at work, abusive calls and emails, about do you tell your boss, will it be confidential."